when i first got my hogg she had a slight wheeze. i made a post about that here on this site and it was recommended to turn up the heat a little. at this time she was also not eating, refused 3 meals and last ate approximately 3 weeks before i purchased her. her wheeze went away and she has eaten twice in the last two weeks. she has become extremely active since eating, went approximately a month and a half not eating. the person i purchased her from said she has not had any health problems ever. today i took her out of her cage and for the first time in a few weeks i heard a wheezing again. the wheeze did go away before and i lowered the temps just a few degrees, 92 on warm low 80's on the cool.
could this be an RI or am i just doing something wrong. i cannot find any discharge anywhere and she seems very healthy. could she just be breathing heavy and this is the was she sounds sometimes?
any advised would be great. thanks
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health question
Replies (2)
Wheezing can be an annoying symptom. Perhaps it's nothing; a minor aberance from an old nose injury, or loose scales ect. Unfortunately, it is also likely to be something health related. In the instance of RI's, it can be more tale telling than many think.
Minor "RI's" are often temp/stress related from the whole purchase cycle. Higher temps can often help create the fever necessary to fight this off. However, in a chronically infected animal, some degree of pneumonia is usually associated with it. The problem with pneumonia in snakes is that they cannot cough. The loooong, lungs extend so far into the body cavity that it is nearly impossible to expell the infection. Thus, the infection of the upper respiratory are resolved, while the pneumonia only festers, again to reappear as what seems to be a seperate incident.
Another associated problem with "poor-doers" and reoccurent respiratory problems are immunocompromised individuals. Iridovirus, herpes virus, IBD virus, among others, can lead to this type of individual. Make sure your snake is under quarantine until a good 6 months of perfect health is observed. Having a complete diagnostic workup on your new snake (bloodwork, fecal and lung x-rays) would be a safety step of significant value.
Ian
t
